Washing machine



Oct. 6, 1942. G. w. DUNHAM 2,298,096

WASHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 20, 194 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5A a Inventor:

I by E (if fibtorneu.

George W Dunham WASHING MACHINE File d Feb.20, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet?Fig.5.

Inventor;

- GeorgeWDunham,

His Attorney.

Patented Oct. 6, 1,942.

George-W. Dunham, Westport, Conn, assignor to General Electric Company,a corporation New York Application February zo, 1942, Serial No. 431,753

This application is a continuation-impart of my applications Serial No.264,156, filed March 25, 1939, and Serial No. 238,636, filed NovemberThe present invention relates to washing machines of the type in whichclothes are washed and centrifugally dried in a single receptacle orcompartment.

Within the receptacle is a, conventional bladed agitator; l which isoperated to efiect washing by oscillation relative to the receptacle.The receptacle is supported in the casing by a tubular post 8through'which extends a shaft 811' for oscillating the agitator l andfor rotating the receptacle 6 to centrifugally extract liquid from thema- In such machines solid particles such as lint,

dirt, and soap curd become dispersed or suspended throughout the washingsolution during washing. During drying, the receptacle is rotated athighspeed, and the resultant centrifugal -force causes the clothes to bethrown against the side walls of the washing receptacle and the washingsolution to be removed therefrom. The clothes, being at the outside ofthe receptacle, serve as a filter through which the washing solutionpasses, and the particles suspended in the washing solution tend toaccumulate on the inner layer of clothes. These particles cannot beremoved by introducing liquid into the receptacle during drying. Suchrinsing liquid will, how ever, remove the soap or other soluble washingcompound in the clothes.

The object of the present inventionis to provide an improvedconstruction and arrangement in washing machines of this type in whichparticles suspended in the washing solution are filtered prior to thecentrifugal drying operation.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of awashing machine embodying my invention, having the filter supported bythe washing machine cover; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of amodification in which the filter is supported on top or the washingreceptacleor compartment; Figs-3, 4, and 5 are fragmentary views ofmodifications in which the filter is located within the rim or thereceptacle; Fig. 6 is a fragterial contained therein. .The drivingmechanism for the shaft is located within the skirt 3 and below thebottom 5 or the casing. Such driving mechanism, as well as arrangementsfor supporting and driving'the agitator and the receptacle, are knownand further illustration is not required for the purposes of the presentinvention. The arrangement for driving and sup-' porting the receptacleand agitator may, for example, be that of my above referred to patent.

In the bottom of the casing is an outlet, 9

connected by a conduit in to the inlet ll of aoperating. The washingsolution is therefore mentary view of a modification in which the filterreceptacle 6 for receiving liquid and material to be washed. The spacebetween the bottom of the casing and the receptacle is sumcient to storethe liquid contents of the receptacle.

withdrawn from the bottom of the casing-and is pumped through a conduitl4 and discharged through a gooseneck 15 at the upper end thereof on topof a filter IS. The gooseneck, as indicated by dotted lines, may bepivoted so as to' discharge to a suitable drain. The filter l6 comprisesa fine wire mesh screen or cloth which is clamped to a ring ll suspendedfrom the underside of the cover by spaced supporting, strips l8. Thefilter is located directly over the top opening [9 of the receptacle 6.The filter is shown as sagging at the center so that its centralpoint 20rests on the upper end 2| of theagitator.

This is not necessary but it does somewhat inreasethe fiow of liquidthrough the filter. The particles suspended'in the washing solutioncollect on top of the filter, and the'filtered liquid drains'into thereceptacle 6. The washing solution in the receptacle overflows to thecasing through openings 22 located atthe upper edge of the receptacle.During washing, the'washing solution, with the particles suspendedtherein, continually fiows out to the casing through the openings 22 andis circulated by the pump i2 onto the top of the filter l6. whichremoves the suspended particles. As a result'oi this filtering operationthe washing solution remains substantially free of suspended particles.It the filter becomes clogged the liquid discharged onto the top of. thefilter willoverflow through the spaces between the supports It, theoverflow falling on the rim 23 of the receptacle and returning to thecasing. When the filter becomes clogged it should be cleaned so as toprevent this condition. Due to the large area of the filter, cleaning isnecessary only at infrequent intervals.

At theconclusion of the washing operation the receptacle is rotated athigh speed to centrifugally extra ct liquid from the material containedtherein. Under the action of centrifugal force the clothes are thrownagainst the tapered side walls of the receptacle, and the liquid thereinis forced up the side walls and discharged through the openings 22.During this operationthe pump is not operating and the valve I3 is open.The

centrifugally discharged liquid is thrown against the inner walls of thecasing and runs down the walls into an annular trough 24 from which itis returned to the casing through a conduit 25 connected between thetrough 24 and the conduit l and the pump inlet H. The space. below thereceptacle is sufflcient to store the washing solution.

After the clothes have been centrifugally dried and the washing solutionpartially removed agitator and the receptacle, this liquid is dis--persed outward through the clothes which line the tapered side walls ofthe receptacle, and flows through the clothes and out through theopenings 22, removing the washing solution remaining in the clothes atthe end of the drying operation. This method of rinsing is'known in theart as "spray rinsing. During rinsing, the valve I3 is closed, the pumpi2 is'operated, and the gooseneck I5 is moved to a position discharging'to a suitable drain. The spray rinse liquid is therefore caught in thetrough 24 and is dis-. charged to the drain. The rinsing liquid does notdilute the washing solution. Due to the arrangement of the filter it isnot necessary to remove the filter during rinsing.

If desired, the rinsing liquid may be introduced to a suitable watersupply (not shown). The conduit 21 extends up through the casing bottom5 adjacent the tubular post 8 and terminates in a nozzle 21a whichdischarges radially to an annular trough 28 formed by a wall 28 fixed tothe bottom of the receptacle. The wall 29 tapers radially upward andoutward so that the rinsing liquid will move up its inclined surface dueto centrifugal force. The liquid enters the receptacle through openings30 in the bottom thereof, strikes projections 30a, and isdispersed andcentrifugally forced through the clothes which line the tapered sidewalls of the receptacle, removing the washing solution therefrom. Thisrinsing liquid is discharged to the drain in the manner described above.The openings 30 are small enough so that the liquid draining throughthese openings during washing is insufiicient to lower the liquid levelin the receptacle- With this arrangement'for introducing the rinsingliquid it is unnecessary to remove the filter.

At the conclusion of the rinsing operation, the high speed rotation ofthe receptacle is continued so as to dry the clothes thoroughly.Durclothes is caught in the trough 24 and disc arged to the drain asdescribed above.

At the conclusion of the drying operation the clothes are removed fromthe receptacle and the washing solution in the bottom of the casing ispumped back to the receptacle, which is then ready for receivinganother'load-pf clothes.

Since the filter is located on the cover it is out of the way during theemptying and loading of the receptacle.

In Fig. 2 is shown a modification of the filter construction applied tothe washing machine shown in Fig.1. Only the upper end of the receptacle6 is shown since the remaining parts of the machine are of the sameconstruction.

In this arrangement the filter is mounted on the upper end of thereceptacle. It comprises a wire mesh screen or cloth filter 3i clampedto a'ring 32 supported by spaced supports 33 which are attached at theirlower ends to a ring 34 having a friction fit over the rim 35 of thereceptacle. .During washing, the washing solution is discharged throughthe gooseneck i5 onto the top of the filter. The filtered liquid fiowsthrough the filter to the receptacle, and the solid particles remain ontop of the filter. If the filter becomes clogged the washing solutionflows over the edges of the filter onto the walls 23 of the receptacleand drains to the casing.

The washing operation is effected in the same manner as inthe machineshown in Fig. 1, and

during the washing operation liquid is circulated from the casing ontothe top of the filter and the solution in the receptacle continuouslyoverflows to the casing through openings 22. continuous circulation andfiltering of the washing solution maintain it free from suspendedparticles.

At the conclusion of the washing operation the clothes are dried by highspeed rotation of the receptacle, the washing solution being dischargedfrom the receptacle bycentrifugal force and beingcaught in the trough 24and returned to the casing through conduits 25 and ID. The valve I3 isopen and the pump is not operating.

During drying, the solid particles on the upper surface of the filtermay be flushed from the filter by discharging liquid onto the filter.This may be accomplished by running the pump with the valve l3 open fora short time at the start of 'thedrying operation. This will dischargewashing solution through the gooseneck I5 onto the filter. During theinitial part of the drying operation while the receptacle is'coming upto speed, the. major portion of the washing liquid thrown out of thereceptacle and is caught in the trough 24 and returned to the casing.During this time the washing solution discharged from the gooseneck i 5passes through the filter. Upon an increase in receptacle speed, thewashing solution is thrown out over the upper surface uid is introducedthrough the conduit 26 which ing this drying, the liquid remaining minis connected to a suitable water supply (not shown). This liquid entersthe receptacle through the spaces betweenthe supports 33 and The strikesthe agitator, and is thereafter dispersed through the clothes lining theside wall. of the receptacle. The rinsing liquid removes any washingsolution remaining in the clothes. During the spray rinse operation thevalve I3 is closed, pump I2 is operatingand the gooseneck I5 is moved toa position discharging to a drain. The spray rinse liquid together withthe washing liquid and any filter sediment collected in the trough 24 isremoved from the trough through conduit 25 and is pumped to the drainthrough the conduit l4 and gooseneck l5.

At the conclusion of the rinsing operation the rotation of thereceptacle 6 is continued to thoroughly dry the clothes. When theclothes aredry the rotation of the receptacle 6 is stopped and theclothes are removed from the receptacle. To remove the clothes it isnecessary that the filter be lifted off the rim of the receptacle. Thisis easily done due to the friction fit between the ring-34 of the filtersupport and the rim.35 of the receptacle. While it is necessary. toremove thefilter to load and unload the receptacle, it is unnecessary toremove the filter during the washing,'rinsing, drying and filterflushing operations.

In Fig. 3 isshown a filter construction for the machine of Fig. 1 inwhich the filter is permanently mounted on the receptacle and need notbe removed at any time. This filter comprises a wire'mesh screen orcloth 36 supported on top of a frame which comprises a ring 31 fixed tothe rim 35 of the receptacle, spaced supports 38' fixed at one end ofthe ring 31 and extending radially inward within the receptacle rim 35and fixed at the other end to a ring 39. The ring 39 is discharges tothe drain and the pump I2 is operating so that any liquid remaining inthe clothes at the end of the rinsing operation is not mixed with thewashing solution. At the completion of the drying operation the clothesare removed through the opening pro vided by the ring 39. With thisconstruction it is unnecessary to remove the filter at any time and thefilter is maintained in a clean condition.

The .construction of Fig. 4 is the same as the construction-of Fig. 3except that the ring 39 is of smaller diameter and the ring 31 has afric-' tion fit on the receptacle rim 35. Due to the small diameter ofthe opening provided by the ring 39, it will .be necessary to remove thefilter 4 during the loading and unloading of the receptacle. In allother respects the operation is identical with the construction of Fig.3.

In Fig. 5 is shown a modification in which the filter is permanentlymounted in the receptacle and need not beremoved at any time. In thisconstruction the tapered side walls of the receptacle 6 are providedwith an extension 4| terminating in a rounded edge 42. To the inside ofthe walls 4| is fixeda filter 43 which is supported between a ring 44fixed to the walls 4| and a ring 45 fixed to the inner edge of thefilter. Spaced supports 46 may be provided between the ring 44 and thering 45 if the filter is made of material such that it is notself-supporting. The walls 4| and the filter 43 are inclined and providea trough for receiving the washing of curved section and presents asmooth opening of sumcient diameter for ready insertion and removal "ofclothes. The upper edge 40 of the ring 39 is higher than the upper edgeof the ring 31 providing a trough for receiving liquid from thegooseneck l5. If the filter becomes clogged the liquid willwoverfiowonto the walls 23 of the receptacle and be returned to the casing. Thefilter 36 may be permanently fixed to its'frame.

. The spacing between the supports 38 is sufiicient open. The washingsolution is therefore collected in the bottom of the casing.

While the receptacle is rotating, solid particles may be flushed off thefilter by discharging liquid onto the top of the filter. The flushingoperation may be carried out as in the construction shown in Fig. 2.

When the flushing operation is completed,

spray rinse liquid is introduced through the conduit 26 through theopening defined by the ring At this time the valve I3 is closed and thegooseneck is moved to discharge to the drain. This liquid is caught inthe trough 20 and. is pumped to the drain. As in the previouslydescribed constructions, the final drying is effected by rotation of thereceptacle '9 after the rinsing operation. During this time thegooseneck II.

solution circulated from the casing through the gooseneck I5. If thefilter becomes clogged, the filter will overflow to the casing, sincethe ring 45 is higher than. the upper edge of the walls 4|.

During'normal operation the filter will not overflow.

The washing operation is effected in the same manner as the machineshown in Fig. 1, and the washing solution is filtered by the continuouscirculation of the washing solution onto the top of the filter 43. Atthe conclusion of the washing operation the receptacle is rotated tocen- .trifugally dry the clothes. During the initial part of the dryingoperation the liquid is discharged in large quantities over the upperedge of the receptacle. Some of the liquid will pass through theopenings 22. The remainder of the liquid will flow through the filter 43and out over the edge 42. This latter portion of the liquid,. since itfiows through the filter in a direction opposite the normal direction,will effectively flush the sediment collected on the top of the filter.

At the conclusion of the drying operation the clothes may be rinsed bythe introduction of spray rinse liquid from the conduit 26, and theclothes may thereafter be given a final drying as described above.

Due to the large diameter of the ring 45, the filter need not be removedduring loading and unloading of the receptacle. Due to the reverseflushing of the filter at the initial partof the drying operation, thefilter will be maintained in a clean condition.

Fig. 6 shows a construction in which the filter is located on theoutside of the receptacle.- This filter construction comprises a wiremesh screen 41 fixed at one end to the outer walls of the receptaclebelow the opening 22 and extending outward therefromjto provide a troughfor receiving the liquid overflowing the receptacle through openings 22.Since the filter is constructed of wire mesh screen, it isself-supporting. It may, however, be suitably braced. In

ing the centrifugal drying operation which follows the washing, theliquid discharged through the openings 22 flows across the upper surfaceof the filter 41 and flushes the sediment off the filter.

The rinsing and final drying operations are the same as in thepreviously described constructions. I

In the filter constructions of Figs. 2 to 6 inclusive, it is obviousthat the spray rinse liquid may be introduced to the receptacle by aconduit and trough arrangement such as shown at 21, 28, 29, and inFig. 1. r

In Fig. 7 is shown a control diagram which is designed for use with thewashing machine of Fig. 1 equipped with the filter constructions shownin Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5. Further details of the control are shown inapplication Serial No.

264,156. The control has a timer motor 48 connected to power lines 49and 50 which drives a shaft 5i carrying a brush 52 arranged to cooperatewith segments 53, 54, 55, 56, 51, 58, and

59, the functions performed being indicated by legends on the segments,as disclosed in greater detail in the above application. When the brush52 contacts the ofi" segment, as illustrated, the machine is at rest andthe power circuit to the timer motor is interrupted by suitablearrangements (not shown) associated with this segment.

- Prior to starting the machine, the outer casing is filled with theamount of washing solution necessary to fill the receptacle 5 tooverflowing and the brush is manually moved into contact with the pumpsegment 55. When the brush 52 contacts the segment 55, the pump i2 isstarted in operation to pump washing solution from the bottom of theouter casing I into the receptacle 5, and the timing motor is started soas to rotate the brush in a clockwise direction at a speed of the orderof one revolution an hour. The operation of the pump is controlled by aclutch. member 50 splined on a power shaft BI and arranged to cooperatewith a clutch member 62 fixed to the pump shaft. The clutch member 50 ismoved to the engaged position by a solenoid 53 con- .nected' toashifting'lever 54 pivoted at 55 and having a forked end 55 fitting in agroove 51 in the clutch member 50. When the solenoid 53 is deenergized,the clutch member 50 is biased out of engagement with the clutch member52. The circuit to the solenoid 53 extends from line conductor 50through conductor 55, neutral segment '54, brush 52, pump segment 55,and conductor 59 to the solenoid, and from the solenoid throughconductor 10 to the line conductor 49. The inlet of the pump isconnected to the bottom of the casing through the valve I! which isbiased to the open position by a spring Ii, and the discharge of thepump is directed through the conduit i4 and gooseneck I 5 into thereceptacle 5. After the receptacle is filled, the brush 52 contacts thewash segment 55 which,'through suit-- operation. This means that thewashing solupumped onto the filter 5i, 55,or 43. At the conclusion ofthe washing operation, the brush 52 contacts the spin segment 51 which,as shown in my above application, causes the rotation of the shaft 5a,and of the receptacle 5 at centrifugal extracting speed so as tocentrifugally dry the clothes in the receptacle. At the beginning of thecentrifugal drying or spinning operation, the brush 52 remains incontact with an extension 12 on the pump segment, which keeps the pumpin operation during the initial part of the centrifugal dryingoperation. This causes the discharge of washing solution onto the filterwhile it is being rotated and thereby flushes the sedimentoff the filteras described above. When the brush falls of! the extension 12 on thepump segment, the pump stops. The rotation or spinning of the receptaclecontinues until the brush 52 reaches the "ofi segment. Followingthe-first spinning operation, while the brush contacts segment 51, thebrush contacts the rinse segment 58 which energizes a solenoid 12jointly controlling the pump inlet valve l2 and a valve I4 in the rinsewater supply conduit 25. These valves have a common operatingplunger I5which is biased by the spring H to the position illustrated in which thevalve I2 is open and the valve 14 is closed. Upon energizing thesolenoid 12, the valve I3 is closed and the valve 14 is opened. At thesame time the pump discharge is by suitable means (not shown) connectedto a drain. The circuit for the rinse solenoid extends from lineconductor 55 through conductor 55, neutral segment 54, brush 52, rinsesegment 55, and conductor 15 to the'solenoid, and from the solenoidthrough conductors l1 and II to line conductor 49. The pump solenoid 52is energized'at the same time as the rinse solenoid 12 so that theoperation of the pump l2 starts simultaneously wlth'the closing of thepump inlet valve i3 and the opening of the rinse valve 14. During therinsing operation [fresh water is discharged through the conduit 25 intothe receptacle 5 and is dispersed through the clothes and centrifugallydischarged from the receptacle against the side walls of the outercasing I. This liquid is caught in the trough 24 and conducted to thepump inlet through conduit 25 and pumped to the drain. The rinse waterremoves the washing solution remaining in the clothes at the end of thefirst centrifugal drying operation. Following the rinsing operation thebrush.52 contacts the spinsegment 59, continuing the centrifugal dryingoperation until the brush contacts the off segment 52. The circuit tothe pump solenoid 53 is broken at the same time as the circuit to therinse solenoid 15, so that any liquid remaining in the clothes at theend of the rinsing operation is centrifugally discharged to What I claimas new and desire to'seciire by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a washing machine,-a receptacle for receiving clothes to bewashed, means for agitatingfilter and discharging the withdrawn liquidonto the filter during washing, a passage to the receptacle independentof the filter, and provisions for admitting rinsing liquid to thereceptacle through said passage during drying.

2. In a washing machine, a receptacle for receiving clothes to bewashed, means for agitating the clothes in the receptacle for washing,top walls in the receptacle defining an opening through which clothesmay be inserted and removed and a second opening spaced from said firstopening, a filter on the receptacle above the liquid lever in thereceptacle and draining to the receptacle through said second opening,and provisions for withdrawing washing liquid from the receptaclebeneath the filter and discharging the withdrawn liquid onto the filterduring washing.

3. In a washing machine, a receptacle for receiving clothes to bewashed, means for agitating the clothes in the receptacle for washingand for centrifugally drying the clothes byrotating the receptacle athigh speed, a filter on the top of the receptacle, provisions forwithdrawing washing liquid from the receptacle beneath the filter anddischarging the withdrawn liquid onto the filter during washing, and anopening in the filter through which liquid may be admitted directly tothe receptacle.

4'. In a washing machine, a casing, a receptacle for receiving clothesto be washed, means for agitating the clothes in the receptacle forwashing and for centrifugally drying the clothes by rotating thereceptacle at high speed, means for circulating washing liquid from thecasing to the receptacle during washing, said receptacle being arrangedto overflow to the casing, and a filter carried by the receptacle on theoutside of the receptacle for intercepting and filtering the liquidoverflowing from the receptacle.

5. In a washing machine, a casing, a receptacle for receiving clothes tobe washed, means for agitating the clothes in the receptacle for washingand for centriiugally drying the clothes by rotating the receptacle athigh speed, said receptacle being constructed so that the liquid thereinis discharged at the top thereof during washing, said receptacleoverflowing to'the filter whereby the washing liquid is filtered.

'7. In a washing machine,'a casing, a receptacle for receiving clothesto be washed, means for agiv tating the clothes in the receptacle for.,washing and forfcentrifugally drying the clothesiby rotatingthe'receptacle at high speed; afllter You the-- receptacle and above theliquid level in the receptacle partially closing the top of thereceptacle providing a passage .through which clothes may be insertedand removed from the receptacle, and provisions for circulatingwashingliquid from the casing onto the filter during washing.

8. In a washing machine, a casing, a receptacle in the casing forreceiving clothes to be washed,

means for agitating the clothes in the receptacle for washing .and forcentriiugally drying "the clothes by rotating the-receptacle at highspeed,

means for pumping washing liquid from the tacle for liquid dischargedonto the filter in excess of the filtering capacity of the vfilter, anda passage to the top of the'receptacle independent of the filter throughwhich rinsing liquid may be introduced.

9. In a washing machine having a receptacle for receiving clothes to bewashed, means for agitating the clothes in the receptacle for washing, acover for the machine, a filter supported on the cover draining to thereceptacle, said cover and filter constituting a readily removable unit,and means for withdrawing washing liquid from the receptacle beneath thefilter and discharging the withdrawn liquid onto the filter duringwashing, said filter having anoverflow passage for liquid dischargedthereon in excess of the filtering capacity of the filter.

10. The method of flushing a filter arranged to receive on its uppersurface the liquid to be filtered which comprises dischargingliquid-onto the filter while rotating the filter at such speed that theliquid centrifugally flows across the upper surface of the filter.

drying, means for circulating washing liquid from for agitating theclothes in the receptacle for washing and for centrifugally drying theclothes by rotating the receptacle at high speed, said receptacle beingconstructed sothat the liquid therein is discharged at the top duringdrying, a filter on the outside of the receptacle 'arranged so that theliquid discharged from the receptacle during drying flows across theupper surface of the filter, and means for circulating washing liquidfrom the casing to the receptacle during 11. Ina washing machine, areceptacle for receiving clothes to be washed, means'for agitating theclothes in the receptacle for washing and for centrifugally drying theclothes by rotating the receptacle at high speed, top walls on thereceptacle defining a central opening through which clothes may beinserted and removed and a second opening radially outside said firstopen.-

ing, a filter on the receptacle above the liquid level in the receptacleand draining to the receptacle through said second opening, and meansfor withdrawing washing liquid from the receptacle beneath the filterand discharging the withdrawn liquidonto the filter and returning ingwashing solution from the. casing onto the filter, and a control forsaid pumping means arranged to cause pumping washing solution-from thecasing onto the filter during washing whereby sediment is caught on thefilter and during centriiugal drying whereby sediment is flushed of! thefilter.

13. In a combined washing and drying machine, a casing, a rotatablereceptacle therein in which the clothes are washed and centrifugallydried, a filter on the receptacle, means for discharging liquid onto thefilter, and a control for said means arranged to cause the discharge ofliquid onto the filter during washing whereby sediment is caught on thefilter and during centrii'ugal extracting whereby sediment is fiushed'sequence, and means controlling'said circulatv ing means to cause thecirculation to take place during washing whereby the washing solution isfiltered and during the initial part of drying whereby the sediment onthe filter is centrifugally flushed therefrom.

15. In a combined washing and drying machine of the type having areceptacle in which clothes are washed and centrifugaily dried, a casingsurrounding the receptacle having sufiicient space below the receptacleduring drying for storage of the washing solution, means for selectivelyeifecting washing in'the receptacle and rotating the receptacle forextracting. a filter carried by the receptacle and draining thereto,means for pumping liquid from the casing to the filter, the improvementwhich comprises control means movable to positions controlling thewashing and centrifugal drying operations, timing means for moving thecontrol means to the washing and extracting positions in timed sequence,and means effective while the control means is in thewashing positionand during the first part of the interval in which the control means isin the extracting position for rendering said pumping means effective topump liquid from the casing onto the filter.

GEORGE W. DUNHAM.

